The Savannah tribune. [volume] (Savannah [Ga.]) 1876-1960, 1887-12-17
GALL FOR = CONVENTION


The matter of having a consultation meet
Ing of the leading cOlOred men of the State,
has been under discussion fer some time On
the 24th day of November, 1887, number of
gentlemen, met in the City of Macon, Ga, 10
discuss the advisabilty of making a call. Az
ter fully considering the matter, it was unani-
mously decided to invite the lea ling colori
men of Georgia. to meet In the city of Macon
on "Wednesday morning January 25th, 1888, at
10 O'Clock The chairman of that meeting, Rev.
w. ] White was appointed to prepare and
issue n cali for this meeting.
1t is not deemed necessary to enter INTO de-
tails in this call beyond stating that we believe
the time has come when the -colored men of
Georgia should meet consult and agree upon
some wise course of future action, for the pro-
motion OF the races welfare After more than
2iyears of freedom aud it's benefits, with thou
sands of our people greatly advanced from the
degratiOn of slavery days. the colored men Of
Georgia find predOminating sentiment
among their white fellow citizens, to keep
them in a condition largely assimilating to
their condition when held in bondage But as
the darkest cloud has its silver lining, so the
coIored men of Georgia some RAYS of hope
in the fact that large number of the best
white people of the State are ready and willing
to give them fair chance In the race of life.
The present Chain-Gang and Penetentiary
System of Georgia Is simply barbarous, and
vet no past legislature has removed this foul
blot Every attempt at improvement has
failed and as matter of fact. the helpless con-
victS Of the State are being made the subjects
Of cruelty far beyond the limit authorized by
the statutes, even in providing for the enforce
ment OF the most rigid discipline. The educa-
ional facilities afforded by the state are totally
inadequate to the needs of the people and yet
the colored people are deprived of a Just share
Of the small amount provided for this purpose
Under the influence of an unrelenting and
senSelesS prejudice, the legislature at its last
session, has connected with the continuance OF
the annual appropriation OF Eight Thousand
Dollars to the Atlanta University, conditions
which amount to n virtual withdrawal of this
money from that school This action was
taken in the face of the fact that RpprOpria-
tions TO the white Institutions of learning were
larger this than in former heart. The colorrd
men of Georgia owe il to themselves and their
children to organize and unite their strength
with the good white people OF the State for the
removal of existing evils and the Securemcnt
of more of the benefits to which their citizen
ship entities them This call is addressed to all
classes of our people and we trust the people
will interest themselves In raising lnonep Ia as
Sst their leaders 10 attend. Ministers of the
GOSPEL. School Teachers, Professional Men. the
Farmer. the Merchant. the Mechanic. the Arli-
zan, and the Wage Worker, are invited IN at
tend people who will not try Ia hclp them
selves. cannot expect others to help them Let
us help ourselves and ask the Lord to turn the
hearts of Others to our help,
~. All those Intend ne 20 go to the
c uv,nrion are requested 10 FORWARD iheir
names TO me at once so that NAV obtain
redut ed fare